New independent govt entity to handle Bengaluru's mega infra projects

Bengaluru: Much like the metro, water and electricity supply services, major roadworks in Bengaluru will likely be operated by an independent government entity. 

The state government is holding discussions to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will carry out large-scale infrastructure projects, such as building tunnel roads and elevated corridors. 

However, the proposal is likely to face criticism as it would further reduce the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)’s core responsibilities. 

Initial discussions suggest that the new entity could be named Bengaluru Smart Mobility Infrastructure Ltd (B.SMIL) or Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B.SIL). 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to announce the new SPV in the state budget on March 7. 

In a manner similar to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), this new entity will focus exclusively on executing large-scale projects. It is learnt that Bengaluru Smart City Ltd (BenSCL), which has nearly completed its projects, will be dissolved to form the new organisation. 

Earlier this year, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar unveiled projects totalling over Rs 1 lakh crore as part of the Brand Bengaluru initiative. The initiatives include two tunnel roads (Hebbal-Silk Board Junction and KR Puram-Nayandahalli) at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore, a double-decker (road-cum-metro) project, sky decks, the white-topping of 1,700 km of roads and elevated corridors. 

Sources close to the minister stated that all these projects would be transferred to the new SPV, because the BBMP would be unable to ensure their timely completion. 

On the flip side, the move will limit the BBMP’s powers, especially as the government plans to create smaller municipal corporations. 

When B S Yeddyurappa was the chief minister, the government had established Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) to handle the 6,000-tonne garbage generated daily in the city. 

Key municipal responsibilities, including water and power supply, urban planning, are carried out by agencies like the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) without any oversight. 

Srikanth Vishwanathan, CEO of the Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy, expressed concerns about the accountability of the new entity. 

"This is a terrible idea. Creating new organisations without strengthening the core institution (BBMP) will be counterproductive. While a specialised entity might seem appealing in theory, it will be of no help. The issue in Bengaluru is that we already have too many parallel agencies, leaving citizens with no single point of accountability."